Summary Information
(last updated on: 2/24/2023 9:50:01 AM)
[2/24/2023 VCP/Landes]:
Latest Update
Two diesel spills occurred along the railroad tracks during routine train travel, spilling diesel onto asphalt and the gravel under the tracks. DEQ provided the community an update on these spills at a joint meeting on February 16, 2023 - see the presentation.
Both Union Pacific Railroad and Peninsula Iron Works have completed their soil sampling in the N. Bradford Street project area. These samples will take longer to process since the work is being done outside of DEQ. We’re hoping to have results in early spring 2023.
In 2022, DEQ obtained funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to do soil sampling in Cathedral Park near the railroad area where we knew there was some contamination. DEQ and OHA met with community members in July to talk about the results. Download the presentation, see a map of the sampling areas and results, and read the associated factsheet.
You can stay up to date on this project by:
- Checking the project webpage for the latest updates, community meetings, and opportunities to get involved.
- Checking this ECSI webpage for the latest project technical documents.
- Reaching out to Portland Harbor Community Coalition at contact@phccoalition.org who are coordinating community efforts around this work.
Background
Elevated levels of contamination have been detected along the railroad right-of-way along N Bradford St adjacent/through Cathedral Park (see images below). While they do not present a short-term threat to public health, more sampling is necessary to make sure there is no risk of long-term health effects for someone who is regularly exposed to the soil in this area.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) were detected in surface soils and in areas of stormwater ponding along the North Bradford Street Right-of-Way in 2011. Surface soils in this area were sampled and analyzed by the City of Portland for PCBs, which were detected at concentrations ranging from 54 µg/kg to 21,700 µg/kg. These soils were determined to no longer have a pathway to the river in a source control decision at Peninsula Iron Works (ECSI# 5686). However, park users may be exposed to PCBs at levels that exceed DEQ's soil occupational risk-based concentrations. Therefore, soil investigation and remediation is likely warranted and DEQ anticipates participation by adjacent property owners and operators as needed.
DEQ is actively engaging property owners and operators to move this site forward through our process for site investigation and cleanup. Both Union Pacific Railroad and Peninsula Iron Works have signed letter agreements to participate in the Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP).
The VCP process takes time, but DEQ is committed to moving the project along as quickly as possible and keeping the community informed. In addition, DEQ obtained funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to do soil sampling in Cathedral Park in 2022. ECSI# 6503 Cathedral Park describes this soil sampling effort.
DEQ has been meeting with community members since October 2021 to discuss site information and next steps. DEQ's portion of those presentations can be found in the Site Documents section on this ECSI webpage. DEQ also maintains a project webpage with FAQs and project information.
| Site: |
PCB Areawide - N Bradford St right-of-way (ECSI Site ID: 6480) |
CERCLIS (EPA) Id | |
| Project Manager: |
Franziska Landes |
Investigative Status: | Contamination Suspected |
| PM Phone: |
503-229-5538
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NPL(National Priority Listing): | No |
| Address: |
North Bradford Street |
Is this site an Orphan? | No |
| Portland,
97203 |
Is this site a brownfield? | No |
| County: |
MULTNOMAH |
Action Underway or Needed: |
SITE INVESTIGATION |
| Region: |
Northwest Region |
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Photos of site location
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10/5/2021
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Google Earth view of railroad crossing
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10/5/2021
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2011 Total PCBs collected in soil and stormwater sediments by City of Portland.
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10/28/2011
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